A firearm can be one of the most effective tools for protecting yourself and your family. However, simply owning a firearm doesn’t automatically guarantee that your home is any safer. In addition to knowing how to properly operate your firearm, it’s essential to train on a regular basis, so that using it becomes almost second nature. Yet, all the training in the world will be useless if you cannot quickly and easily access your home-protection firearm in an emergency situation. Here are some storage tips from the Triangle Shooting Academy team to help make sure your firearm is readily available when you need it.
Carrying is the Quickest
It should go without saying, but carrying your firearm on you is always the fastest way to reach it in an emergency. While it may sound excessive to some, carrying whenever you are inside your home, working in your garage or out in the yard ensures that you always have quick access to your self-defense firearm.
Long-Term Storage
When not in use, all firearms and ammunition should be securely stored in a locked safe designed specifically for firearms. Quality safes will provide a minimum 30-minute fireproof rating at 1,400 degrees and come with a combination lock and an anchoring system that secures the safe to a floor or wall. Traditional large safes are great for long-term storage and protecting multiple firearms and accessories, but they are probably not the best place to keep your dedicated home-protection firearm. In an emergency situation, you won’t have time to dig through a closet to reach the safe or to remember a lengthy combination.
Fast-Access Safes
For your home-defense firearm, you need a storage solution that is quick and easy for you to open—especially in the middle of the night. Fortunately, there are many options available today that are designed specifically for home protection. Electronic and digital lockboxes feature easy-to-use keypads that allow you to open them in seconds by keying in a simple code. Biometric firearm safes instantly open with a touch by scanning your fingerprint. Many of these quick-access safes are designed to fit under a bed or in the drawer of a nightstand.
Placement is Key
When considering where to place your home-protection firearm safe, think about the areas where you spend the majority of your time. Which rooms do you frequent the most? The bedroom is probably the number one place people store firearms for home protection. Keeping your firearm under your bed or in a nightstand or dresser drawer makes it quickly available to you in the middle of the night. Outside the bedroom, consider storing your self-defense firearm in other high-use areas such as the kitchen or a living room.
More is Better
If a home invasion occurs, there are no guarantees that it will be at night when you’re in bed. You could be cooking dinner in your kitchen, watching television in the living room or even using the restroom. For that reason, many people choose to keep multiple home-protection firearms stored throughout their home. This approach provides fast access to a firearm in the event of an emergency. When placing multiple firearm safes around your home, again consider where you spend the most time as well as central locations that can be easily reached.
Ask Our Experts
The expert team at Triangle Shooting Academy has years of experience helping members and guests choose the best firearm safes for their needs. Stop by today to get free advice from one of our firearms experts and check out our wide selection of safes and storage solutions.
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Additional Resources:
Keeping Your Firearms Secure During the Summer
Beginner’s Guide to Popular Handgun Calibers
Understanding Firearm Calibers and Gauges
How to Purchase a Handgun in North Carolina
Project ChildSafe: Promoting Firearm Safety and Education
Flying with Firearms and Ammunition
How to Get A Concealed Carry Handgun Permit